India's political landscape is ablaze with activity! From the ongoing debates surrounding the new farm bills and their impact on rural India, to the upcoming state elections shaping the national narrative, the stakes couldn't be higher. Key political figures are maneuvering strategically, with alliances shifting and power dynamics constantly in flux. The opposition's challenge to the ruling party is intensifying, sparking vigorous debates on crucial policy matters including economic reforms and social justice initiatives. Parliamentary proceedings are filled with heated exchanges, reflecting the deep divisions within the nation. This evolving political climate directly impacts the lives of every Indian citizen, influencing everything from economic opportunities to social welfare programs. Stay informed about the latest developments in Indian politics, from crucial legislative decisions to grassroots movements, by exploring Abtak.com for in-depth analysis and breaking news updates. Understanding the intricacies of our political system is crucial; stay engaged, stay informed, and stay ahead.
Hours after the "panj pyaras" (five beloved ones of Guru) of Takht Patna Sahib declared Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal "tankhaiya" (guilty of religious misconduct) for failing to appear before them, Akal Takht denounced the action of the Bihar-based Sikh temporal seat on Saturday. The Akal Takht responded by condemning Takht Patna Sahib's actions and taking firm action against its additional head granthi Gurdial Singh and two members of the management committee, accusing them of conspiring to breach Akal Takht's authority. In a highly charged meeting held on Saturday at the Akal Takht -- the highest temporal seat of the Sikhs -- Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, acting jathedar of the Akal Takht, called for an emergency session of the "panj singh sahiban" (Sikh clergy). The gathering issued a resolution declaring that the actions of Takht Patna Sahib were a direct violation of the 2003 edict, which had been signed by the jathedars of all five Takhts. The decree emphasised that while the regional Takhts have jurisdiction over local religious, social and cultural matters, only Akal Takht can make decisions on Panth-wide issues. Akal Takht's clergy strongly condemned the recent decrees issued by "panj pyaras" of Takht Patna Sahib, calling them "unauthorised" and "anti-traditional." According to the 2003 decree, any collective decisions affecting the Sikh community as a whole must be made by the five Takhts at Akal Takht, with its jathedars holding the ultimate authority. The Sikh clergy denounced Takht Patna Sahib's actions as "a gross violation" of these long-established traditions and warned that attempts to undermine Akal Takht's supremacy would not be tolerated. The resolution passed by the clergy reaffirmed that while all Takhts are held in high reverence, any collective religious directive must align with the decisions of the Akal Takht. The Sikh leadership underscored that divisive actions by individuals or groups under the influence of "anti-Panthic forces" would not be allowed to weaken the unity of the Sikh community. In a major move, Akal Takht declared Gurdial Singh, additional head granthi at Takht Patna Sahib, "tankhaiya" for his role in allegedly sowing discord and violating Akal Takht's directives. The Sikh community has been advised not to invite Gurdial Singh to any Panthic gatherings or "Gurmat" events unless he personally appears before Akal Takht and seeks forgiveness within 15 days. Further, two members of the Takht Patna Sahib management committee -- Harpal Singh (Johal) and Gurmeet Singh -- were also declared "tankhaiyas" for their alleged involvement in media campaigns challenging Akal Takht's authority. Both have been given an ultimatum to appear before the Akal Takht and seek forgiveness. Failure to do so will result in a social and religious boycott by the Sikh community, according to the decree. The controversy began on May 21 when Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj-led Sikh clergy, during a meeting at the Akal Takht, took notice of Takht Patna Sahib management's failure to comply with 2022 decree of the highest Sikh temporal seat, in which the management was asked to examine incumbent jathedar Baldev Singh's skill of Gurbani recitation and transfer of additional head Granthi Bhai Gurdial Singh. Following non-compliance, both were barred from performing Panthic duties by the Sikh clergy. Takht Patna Sahib committee leadership was ordered to present themselves before Akal Takht immediately for explanation. Hours after the pronouncement of the decree at Akal Takht, "panj pyaras" also comprising Baldev Singh and Gurdial Singh issued a parallel decree, turning down the Akal Takht's decree and termed it as interference into the affairs of Takht Patna Sahib. It was stated by "panj pyaras" that SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal was behind this conspiracy, who was asked to appear at Takht Patna Sahib in 10 days. Time for the appearance of Sukhbir was extended twice. However, the SAD president failed to appear. The move of Sikh clergy to acquit former Takht Patna Sahib jathedar Giani Ranjit Singh Gauhar in the allegations levelled against him, on the basis of the probe report, was also rejected by Takht Patna Sahib "panj pyaras" who states that their prior decree declaring Gauhar "tankhaiya" and excommunicating him still stands. Takht Patna Sahib had also stated that the decree of any other Takht will not be applicable at Takht Patna Sahib, nor it will be adhered to. Sikh scholars have weighed in on the growing crisis. Gurmeet Singh Sidhu, professor of religious studies in Punjabi University, Patiala, said: "What has been done by Takht Patna Sahib is not as per Sikh tradition. None of the other Takhts are parallel bodies to the Akal Takht. They are basically supporting bodies of Akal Takht under the 'Panj Pardhani' system of Sikhs. Challenging supremacy of Akal Takht is unfortunate." "Jathedars of other Takhts should not interfere in the affairs of Akal Takht which is a supreme institution of the Sikhs", said noted Sikh historian and thinker Gurdarshan Singh Dhillon, adding: "First blunder was committed by Sukhbir Singh Badal by removing Punjab-based Takht jathedars. He should not have done it like that. There is a maryada and tradition of appointing and retiring a jathedar. He violated it. What has been done by Takht Patna Sahib panj pyaras is equally a wrong step."
Berhampur (Odisha), Jun 6 (PTI) Environmental activist Medha Patkar on Saturday appealed to the people of Odisha for protection of Rushikulya river. The government planned to construct a dam in the river Pipalapnaka under Sorada block in the district. While participating in the Save Rushikulya river movement in Ganjam district, she said, "Rivers may be small or big, but they are our mother. We have to protect the rivers from attacks." She attended a meeting were organised by the Rushikulya Banchao Kriyaanusthan Committee (RBKC) and the Centre for Climate Justice, spearheading the agitation a ...Read More >
Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar urges Akali factions to unite, honoring veteran leader Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa. Political leaders gather in Sangrur to pay tributes, emphasizing the need for a strong Panthic party for Punjab and India. Leaders recall Dhindsa's dedication to service and community welfare. Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar, in a poignant appeal, urged all Akali factions to set aside their differences and egos to unite in a bid to form a robust 'Panthic' party. This coalition, Jakha ...Read More >
Chandigarh: Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal has announced a series of protests starting from Ludhiana on July 15, aimed at safeguarding the interests of farmers in Punjab. Addressing a press conference here, the SAD president said 40,000 acres of land of 158 villages were being acquired under a purported land pooling scheme which was in fact a "land-grabbing scheme". Sukhbir accused the AAP government of attempting to acquire the land under the Punjab Regional Town Planning and Development Act, 1995. He claimed that the scheme was designed not to benefit farmers or th ...Read More >
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Jaipur, Dec 3 (PTI) A student of a government college allegedly committed suicide by jumping from the rooftop of the college building in Rajasthan's Sirohi district, police said on Tuesday. According to police, Rahul Garasiya, a second-year MMBS student at BR Ambedkar Medical College, was allegedly upset about not performing well in his exam, which was held on Monday. Also Read | What Is 'Tankhah', Religious Punishment Given to Sukhbir Singh Badal by Akal Takht in 2015 Sacrilege Case?. On late Monday when Garasiya was studying with his fellow students on the third floor of the building, he ...Read More >
Amritsar (Punjab) December 04 (ANI): The major mishap took place while the SAD President was serving his religious penance on 'day 2' at Golden Temple. Clad in blue 'sewadar' uniform, Badal was sitting at the entrance of the Temple with a plaque card around his neck. Suddenly an unidentified man fired at Sukhbir Badal; people standing around him quickly overpowered the shooter. The shooter was later identified as Narayan Singh Chaura by the Punjab Police and further investigation underway. Notably, Badal was declared 'tankhaiya' in August by Akal Takht, which announced religious punishment for ...Read More >
Gurdaspur (Punjab) [India], December 4 (ANI): Jasmeet Kaur, wife of Narain Singh Chaura, who attempted to assassinate Sukhbir Singh Badal, condemned her husband's actions on Wednesday. She stated that her husband had informed her he was attending a "death anniversary programme" in Amritsar. "I didn't know what had happened until reporters came knocking at my door. Earlier, he had been lodged in jails in Amritsar, Ludhiana, and Gurdaspur," Kaur told reporters. "I don't think what he did was right," Kaur added. Narain Singh Chaura opened fire at Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Sukhbir Singh ...Read More >
BATHINDA: The antim ardas of senior Akali leader Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa turned out to be a platform for advocating a strong regional party, also known as Akali unity. Various leaders stressed the need for unity, but interestingly, Punjab BJP President Sunil Jakhar was the most vocal about the need for a strong regional party, although he stopped short of naming the Akali Dal.Sunil Jakhar devoted a significant part of his brief address to unity while speaking to the large gathering at Gurdwara Nankiana Sahib, Sangrur. He said, "Mafi chahunga, meri jaga taan ni banndi magar masla asal virasat da ...Read More >
Ludhiana, Jun 8 (PTI) Punjab Congress president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring on Sunday asserted that his party will win the Ludhiana West assembly bypoll, scheduled to be held on june 19, with a "record margin". "Congress practically has no competition here", he claimed. Warring, who is also the Ludhiana MP, said that the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) was badly mistaken that the Congress would allow it to abuse power and misuse the official machinery for the elections. "First of all, we will not let any misuse of the official machinery and second, in case any official is found to be misusing ...Read More >
New Delhi: The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is probing from all angles, including sabotage, in the Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad that killed 274 people on board and on the ground last month, Minister of State (MoS) For Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol said. Mohol said the black box of the Air India flight AI 171 that has been recovered is in AAIB's custody and will not be outside the country for a thorough assessment. The MoS was speaking at the Pune chapter of the Emerging Business Conclave. "It (plane crash) was an unfortunate incident. The AAIB has begun a full investig ...Read More >
Chandigarh [India], December 3 (ANI): Punjab Legislative Assembly Leader of Opposition and Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa on Tuesday, slammed the BJP-led central government for neglecting the interests of farmers in Punjab and Haryana. Bajwa's scathing attack comes amidst growing discontent among farmers in the region, who feel their concerns have been ignored by the ruling party. "Ever since the BJP government has come to power, they have not taken a single decision that is in the interest of the farmers of India, especially the farmers of Punjab and Haryana. It is their fundamental rig ...Read More >
Amritsar (Punjab) [India], June 6 (ANI): Pro-Khalistan slogans were raised by several people at the Golden Temple in Amritsar on the 41st anniversary of Operation Blue Star on Thursday. People raised slogans of 'Khalistan zindabad' as SAD (Mann faction) leader Simranjit Singh Mann reached the Golden Temple on the 41st anniversary of Operation Blue Star and also the death anniversary of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, who was killed during the operation. Also Read | Goa: Man Held for Trying to Trade Sensitive Data Online Using Cryptocurrency Transactions. Operation Blue Star was a 10-day militar ...Read More >
Srinagar: Before towering cranes and cutting-edge engineering transformed the Himalayan landscape, the monumental dream of connecting "Kashmir to Kanyakumari" by rail began with the plodding footsteps of humble mules. This extraordinary backstory underpins the official realization of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL), inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 6, 2025, a project crowned by the awe-inspiring Chenab Bridge. According to Afcons Infrastructure Limited, the company behind the Chenab Bridge, the earliest and most formidable hurdle wasn't just the design of ...Read More >
Chandigarh, Jun 26 (PTI) A Mohali court on Thursday sent to a seven-day remand Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia, who was arrested by the Vigilance Bureau on Wednesday in an alleged disproportionate assets case involving Rs 540 crore of laundered "drug money". Before producing Majithia in court amid tight security arrangements, police detained several Akali supporters protesting against the arrest near the court complex. Ferry Sofat, the counsel representing the bureau, told reporters the court has sent Majithia to seven-day vigilance remand, with the next date set on July 2. ...Read More >
Chandigarh: Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal on Friday challenged chief minister Bhagwant Mann to prove that Saraya Industries Limite, in which his party colleague Bikram Singh Majithia holds an 11% inherited stake, received even a single rupee in foreign funding since 2007. He dismissed allegations made in the disproportionate assets case against Majithia as baseless and politically motivated. Addressing a press conference, Sukhbir said, "The only foreign funding received by Saraya Industries was in March 2006 -- one year before SAD formed govt in the state -- when it r ...Read More >
Chandigarh, June 30 (PTI) The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Monday asked the AAP government to stop its policy of "political vendetta", asserting that it would start a people's campaign against it on key public issues like law and order and the drug menace. The SAD held the first meeting of its newly constituted core committee which was presided over by party president Sukhbir Singh Badal. Badal also appointed senior leader Gulzar Singh Ranike as the coordinator for the forthcoming Tarn Taran bypoll, which is necessitated following the death of AAP MLA Kashmir Singh Sohal. The core committee ...Read More >
Mohali (Punjab) [India], July 2 (ANI): Tensions escalated in Punjab on Wednesday as police detained several Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) supporters staging a protest against the arrest of senior party leader Bikram Singh Majithia. The protest took place near the Mohali court, where Majithia is scheduled to be produced following the completion of his Vigilance Bureau remand. Also Read | Who Is Hemant Khandelwal? Know All About Newly Appointed Madhya Pradesh BJP President. As security was tightened around the court complex, SAD President Sukhbir Singh Badal claimed that he himself was stopped an ...Read More >
New Delhi, Dec 3 (PTI) Shares of seven Adani Group firms ended in the green on Tuesday, with Adani Ports surging 6 per cent, emerging as the biggest gainer among the Sensex and Nifty firms. The stock of Adani Ports surged 6.02 per cent, Ambuja Cements soared 5.15 per cent, ACC (2.56 per cent), Adani Enterprises (2.33 per cent), Sanghi Industries (2.09 per cent), Adani Wilmar (1.19 per cent) and NDTV (0.45 per cent) on the BSE. Also Read | What Is 'Tankhah', Religious Punishment Given to Sukhbir Singh Badal by Akal Takht in 2015 Sacrilege Case?. However, shares of Adani Green Energy went low ...Read More >
Ludhiana, Jun 5 (PTI) Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann Thursday asserted that there should be no "politicisation" of the armed forces, even as he accused the BJP of milking Operation Sindoor for political gains. "Such politics should not be done. I salute the armed forces. But there should be no politicisation of the army," he said. "Have you ever seen any former prime minister donning a military uniform....? But now the uniform is being used for political gains. It should not happen," he said. Armed forces fight for the country, and they have no connection with politics, he asserted. T ...Read More >
Raipur, June 8 (SocialNews.XYZ) A villager was brutally murdered in Puvarti village, located within the Jagargunda police station area of Sukma district in Chhattisgarh. Puvarti village holds significant strategic importance as it is the native place of Maoist commander Hidma and Battalion 1 chief Deva Barse. The village has produced 22 hardcore Maoists. The attack was allegedly carried out by a group of ten to fifteen Maoists, who ambushed the victim and killed him using sharp weapons, police sources said. The Maoists accused the villager of being a police informant, a charge that has often ...Read More >
Chandigarh, Jun 30 (PTI) The Punjab Vigilance Bureau Monday took Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Bikram Singh Majithia to Himachal Pradesh in connection with a disproportionate assets (DA) case registered against the former minister, said sources. The Punjab Vigilance Bureau on June 25 arrested Majithia in a disproportionate assets case allegedly involving laundering of Rs 540 crore of "drug money". Majithia, who is the brother-in-law of SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal, is learnt to have been taken to Mashobra in Himachal Pradesh for verification of property allegedly linked to his family ...Read More >
MADURAI: Likening the custodial murder of Ajith Kumar in Tiruppuvanam to an 'organised crime by police where the state kills its own citizens,' Madras high court lambasted the Tamil Nadu police and said the action against the perpetrators should be more stringent than in normal murder cases.A division bench of Justice S M Subramaniam and Justice A D Maria Clete pointed to 44 external injuries on the person of Ajith Kumar and said no part of the body was spared by the delinquent cops. "Even an ordinary murderer would not have inflicted such kind of injuries," the bench said on Tuesday.The natur ...Read More >
CHANDIGARH: Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal has been declared "tankhaiya" (guilty of religious misconduct) by the Takht Patna Sahib (one of the five supreme temporal seats of sikhs) due to his failure to appear before it and thereby undermining its authority. Sources said the decision is an outcome of Sukhbir's failure to appear before the Takht despite being summoned twice. It is understood that this development would further escalate clashes between Sikh religious authorities and political figures. Badal was called to present himself before the panj pyaras (five be ...Read More >
Amritsar: Punjab's ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Sunday suspended its Amritsar North MLA and former IPS officer Kunwar Vijay Partap Singh from the party for five years.The decision, taken by the party's political affairs committee, cited alleged "anti-party activities" as the reason.A vocal critic of his own party's govt, Vijay Pratap had recently opposed the arrest of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Bikram Singh Majithia on charges of laundering more than Rs 540 crore of drug money. The vigilance bureau on June 25 arrested Majithia after conducting a raid at his residence in Amritsar.Confi ...Read More >
Chandigarh, Jun 8 (PTI) Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar on Sunday said all Akali factions should set aside their "egos" and differences and unite, asserting that a strong 'panthic' party is required not only for the state but also for the nation. He asserted that that would be a "true tribute" to veteran Akali leader and former union minister Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa. Also Read | Bodoland Lottery Result Today, June 8, 2025: Assam State Lottery Sambad Sunday Lucky Draw Results Declared, Check Winners List With Ticket Numbers. Dhindsa died on May 28 following age-related health issues at a pri ...Read More >
Chandigarh: Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Badal on Saturday challenged chief minister Bhagwant Mann to prove that Saraya Industries Limited, in which senior party leader Bikram Singh Majithia had an inherited share of 11%, had received even one rupee in foreign funding from 2007 to this day, while rubbishing the allegations made in the disproportionate assets (DA) case registered against Majithia. Addressing newspersons here, Sukhbir said "the only foreign funding received by Saraya Industries was in March, 2006 (one year before SAD formed government in the state) when it receiv ...Read More >
Bhubaneswar: A low-pressure area forming over the north Bay of Bengal and adjoining coastal areas of Bangladesh and West Bengal is expected to trigger heavy to very heavy rainfall across parts of Odisha through July 4, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said Saturday. An upper air cyclonic circulation currently persists over southwest Bangladesh and adjoining Gangetic West Bengal, extending up to 7.6 km above mean sea level and tilting southwestward with height, the IMD said. Under its influence, a low-pressure area is likely to develop over the region within the next 48 hours. The sy ...Read More >
Chennai, Dec 3 (PTI) Danfoss, a leader in heating, ventilation, air-conditioning and compressors has set a target to progressively ramp up local manufacturing capabilities over the next five years, supporting the Centre's Make in India campaign, the company said on Tuesday. Danfoss India, a subsidiary of Denmark-based Danfoss, earlier this year committed to a Rs 500 crore investment aimed at developing local manufacturing for HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air-conditioning), and refrigeration compressors and controls. Also Read | What Is 'Tankhah', Religious Punishment Given to Sukhbir Sing ...Read More >
Chandigarh, Jun 30 (PTI) The Punjab Vigilance Bureau Monday took Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Bikram Singh Majithia to Himachal Pradesh in connection with a disproportionate assets (DA) case registered against the former minister, said sources. The Punjab Vigilance Bureau on June 25 arrested Majithia in a disproportionate assets case allegedly involving laundering of Rs 540 crore of "drug money". Also Read | Who Is Anjali Vishwakarma? All About Woman IPS Who Got Into Heated Argument With BJP MLC Arun Pathak During Operation Sindoor Cup Match at Kanpur's Green Park Cricket Stadium (Watchy ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], December 4 (ANI): Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Naresh Gujral dubbed the attack on party leader and former Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal as an "attack by extremists on the moderate forces of Punjab" and called for a probe by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) into the matter. Speaking to ANI on Wednesday, the SAD leader also alleged that the attacker has 'Khalistani connections,' and that the incident was an attempt to "destabilise" Punjab. Also Read | Banda Road Accident: 12-Year-Old Among 3 Killed As Unidentified Vehicle Hits Auto-Rickshaw in Uttar Pradesh. ...Read More >